Disabled guard jailed 2 days, fined RM700 over Kuching supermarket theft to pay off debts

Court - DayakDaily.com file pic. // Photo: Pixabay

By Dorcas Ting

KUCHING, Apr 6: A security guard with a physical disability was sentenced to two days in jail and fined RM700 by the Magistrates’ Court for stealing dozens of beverage packets from a supermarket along Jalan Penrissen last month.

Kamarul Azmir, 41, admitted to the offence when the charge was read before Magistrate Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali. He was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 10 years and a possible fine. The court also ordered an additional one-week imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

The incident took place at about 7.30pm on March 27. The theft only came to light the next morning when a supermarket employee discovered discrepancies in stock during a routine check.

Among the missing items were 29 packets of 900g Horlicks, 12 packets of 200g Coffeemate and 25 packets of 1.8kg Milo, with total losses estimated at RM1,980.

Subsequent checks on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed a man taking the goods without paying. A police report was lodged, and investigations led to the accused’s arrest on March 31 at a guardhouse at the factory where he worked.

Authorities later confirmed his involvement based on CCTV recordings and identification procedures.

In his plea for leniency, Kamarul said he suffers from a leg disability following a road accident in 2008, which made it difficult for him to secure stable employment.

He told the court that he committed the offence to sell the stolen goods and settle debts owed to illegal moneylenders after his vehicle was repossessed.

The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly. The accused was not represented by a lawyer. — DayakDaily